How to Reupholster a Cedar Chest

by Cathy Douglas

Repurpose an old cedar chest with upholstery that coordinates with your room.

A cedar chest can offer both extra storage and seating. Cedar is a sturdy wood that can be refreshed with a light sanding. You can add to the beauty of a cedar chest and make it more useful by reupholstering the interior and adding a cushion to the top.

1

Measure the height and width of the front, back and sides of the interior of the cedar chest. Measure the top if you are adding a cushion.

2

Cut a length of material that is 1 1/4 inches longer than the perimeter measurement of the interior, and 2 inches wider than the height measurement. Sew the seam, leaving a 5/8 inch seam allowance. Use fabric glue to attach the seam if you do not have access to a sewing machine.

3

Turn the sewn fabric inside out and upside down if there is a pattern. Place the seam at one of the corners of the cedar chest. Place the fabric 1 inch from the top edge of the cedar chest. Staple as close to the edge as possible. Use cardboard edging for a more straight edge. Staple all the way around.

4

Turn the fabric over the staples (or cardboard). The right side of the fabric should be facing out. Starting at the center of each side, pull the fabric tight and staple to the bottom as close to the edge as possible. Staple all the way around. Hammer decorative nails, at approximately 1 inch intervals all around the top edge of the interior.

5

Cut a piece 2 inches wider and longer than the bottom. Fold under 1 inch on all sides, using cardboard edging for straighter edges. Staple to the bottom. Use decorative nails or glue to attach bottom if you don't want the staples to show.

6

Cut foam to the same size as the top. Cut a piece of fabric for the top that will cover the top, depth of the foam, and have an extra inch all the way around. For example, if the top is 18 inches by 36 inches, and the foam is 3 inches deep, cut a 26 inch by 44 inch piece of fabric.

7

Staple the front edge from the underside. Turn the fabric upside down, and place the right side of the fabric against the lip of the top, centered. Staple all the way across. Flip the fabric over. Fold under 1 inch in the center of the back, pull tight and staple to the back lip. Keeping the 1 inch foldline, staple to the left of the center staple in the back, approximately 3 to 4 inches away. Repeat for the right side. Continue alternating left to right until the entire back is stapled.

8

Fold under 1 inch on the sides and pull the fabric tight. Hold against the side lip, and hammer an upholstery nail to secure the sides. Alternate inserting a nail to the front and back until the sides are attached.Add upholstery nails across the front of the top if you wish.

Things You Will Need

Fabric

Foam, sized same as top of chest

Upholstery nails

Staples

Staple gun

Scissors

Sewing machine

Thread

Cardboard edging

Tips

Add braid or other embellishment for a more elegant look.

If using glue, spread thoroughly to avoid glue lines.

Warnings

Wear safety goggles when stapling to avoid eye injury.

Always staple away from yourself, and keep fingers out of the way of the stapler.

About the Author

Cathy Douglas has a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in editing and publishing from California State University, Chico. She interned at Moon Publications and has spent more than nine years writing technical documentation, system procedures and user manuals. Since 2001 Douglas has written and edited several newsletters.

Photo Credits

Have Feedback?

Thank you for providing feedback to our Editorial staff on this article. Please fill in the following information so we can alert the Home Guides editorial team about a factual or typographical error in this story. All Fields are required.